It was hardly a convincing performance in the scrappy encounter but the Suns showed the hunger and hardness at the ball that was sorely lacking in upset losses to the Western Bulldogs and the Brisbane Lions.

Dion Prestia led the way for the Suns with 31 possessions while stand-in skipper Tom Lynch kicked four goals in what was a niggling affair in front of a crowd of just 12,027.

On a night to forget for Saints fans, Nick Riewoldt was well contained by Steven May in his record 178th game as captain for the club.

St Kilda had lacked the fierce intensity shown in their stunning upset of Fremantle and, too often, shot themselves in the foot with countless mistakes in their defensive 50.

Ahead by just seven at the main break, the Suns set up the 53-point win with a six-goal third quarter before the floodgates opened in the final term.

There was redemption for many youngsters who endured forgettable displays against the Lions, especially Jaeger O'Meara and Harley Bennell.

In a good weekend for the Suns, with a host of results going their way, they sit on 10 wins - equal with sixth-placed North Melbourne and Essendon.